Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-09-09

THERE WERE NO BOOKS AND PAPERS AROUND, But
PARAPHERNALIA FOR SEVEN Up AND POKER
ABOUNDED
In the Police Court, this afternoon, Assistant
District Attorney Lavender called Judge Snell's
attention to the case of Griffin 8. Martin, the
saloon keeper at No. 604 Louisiana avenue north
west, charged, as heretofore mentioned in TIN
STAR, with permitting gaming table to be set up
and used in premises under his control Mr.. W.
H. Browne appeared for the defendant and pleaded
not guilty. He also pleaded not guilty for Elisha
whom similar charge had been filed.
Detective RAN testified that last Saturday night,
with Detective horne and Sergeant Hollinberger,
he went with q raldfng warrant to the premises
Named and captured a quantity OF chips and
cards A club book was also captured, which
showed that Estes was secretary OF the club. The
attorney, Mr.. Browne, told him that Mr. Martin
was responsible. Witness said that according TO
the club book il was organized for social and lite
rary purposes, but witness found no books nor
papers there-nOt even copy OF The STAR. There
was not even an Old paper in the room with which
he could wrap the chips up.
John w. Pandle testified that when the raid vas
made game OF seven-up was being played for
money, the limit being 81. Witness said the club
was known as Mr.. Laws club, OF which he was
elected member the night he was caught in the
raid. Witness said he became a member by sign
Ing his name to a book. He saw no constitution
and paid no initiation fee.
Mr.. Browne sad that the club was regularly in
cOrpOrated as the Social and Reading Club OF
Washington. 1t was recorded June Is, 1887, ..ud
tne rooM was inspected Dy the police. Witness
did not think that any person except members
were permitted TO play in the room.
Samuel Samstag testified that he had played
poker In Martins place about five times. On one
occasion he engaged In game OF poker and lost
S:55. There was toll or draw down for drinks
but he did not recOllect who took down the toll
He said that while passing the place one day
he remarked that he would IKE to enjoy O game OF
poker. He was Invited up stairs were several per-
sons were playing poker gentleman asked the
q member. There was no objection and he became
member, after which he INDUCED in game OF
poker.
The judge asked for the constitution, and said
ne would like to know what provision was made
for the election OF members Counsel looked over
the constitution and read "an entrance fee of 81
shall be paid hereafter"
Witness said he had never seen the constitution
OF the club, and that he had never paid an sen
trance 1ee." member told him that he had to
pay no money. On crOsS-eXamtnat1On witness
said he had also won money in the ROOM He won
three times and lost once.
"Was not Wednesday the last day you played
there and lost your money, and told your wife?"
asked counsel
II did not tell my wife," answered witness.
THAT Is not material" said the judge.
game Of poker played man called Bush Laws had
charge OF the rooms; Mr.. Estes was also there
witness was elected Il member, but paid no tnitia-
tion Zee Witness said he had played cards twice
ana won SIS.
Testimony was also given by Stephen Grant, COL
ored an eInploye at the club rooms and Estes the
defendant. Attorney Brown said they had other
witnesses. MIR. Lavender claimed o conviction.
The Court said the question was whether this
was bona fde club or mere subterfuge to evade
the law. he did not see by the testimony that
there was any attempt to carry out the regula-
ions adopted, no money being paid.
He would Impose fine OF 500 and day in jail
In the cases OF Estes and Martin. An appeal was
noted